Readers Respond: September 2010

A Compromised Prince of Preachers?

In “Exposing a Fundamental Compromise,” Dr. Terry Mortenson cites C. H. Spurgeon,
among others, as having a compromised position with respect to a literal six-day
creation. In 1886 Spurgeon was unequivocal and direct in his stand against evolution.
It would be a travesty to unwittingly cause Answers readers to avoid
reading this Prince of Preachers who consistently exalted the sovereign Creator
he preached.

HOWIE J., SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Author’s Response: Spurgeon was indeed opposed to liberal theology
and to evolution, at least human evolution. But he compromised with the “millions
of years” idea proclaimed by the geologists. He showed this in sermons in
1855 and again in 1876 (see “Christ, the Destroyer of Death,” preached on
December 17, 1876 [Sermon 1329, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 22, pp.
697–699]).

Spurgeon was a “child of his time,” and he failed to see that Genesis 1–11,
especially its teaching on the age of the earth, is foundational to the gospel.
But such men as Spurgeon had Bibles and could have stood on Scripture’s authority
regarding this point (just as did the “scriptural geologists” of the early
1800s). Instead, most of these late nineteenth-century preachers skimmed over
key details of Genesis 1–11—just as most scholars do today.

We can learn many things from Spurgeon, but he made a serious mistake in
this area, Christians need to realize that well-respected, sincerely intentioned,
godly leaders can make gospel-subverting mistakes. It happened to Peter (Matthew
16:23 and Galatians 2:11–14), and neither Jesus nor Paul hesitated to confront
his error.

Miffed on Madagascar

In “Mysterious Madagascar,” Mr. UpChurch discusses plate tectonics. Why is
anything discussed that is only “apparently” or “appears to have”? Isn’t it
possible that Madagascar is where it is because God placed it there? The article
is filled with “perhaps” and “likely” and “appears.” The only difference between
this article and an article on evolution are the mentions of Noah’s Ark.

KIM L., ALABASTER, ALABAMA

Editor’s Response: Creationists start with the Bible when they try
to explain how the present world came to be. We find miles of fossil layers,
which were bent and moved by great upheavals some time after the fossils were
deposited. Because nobody was there to see exactly what happened, tentative
language is appropriate.

Our aim is to glorify our Creator by “searching out” how He has worked in
and through His creation (see Proverbs 25:2). As we attempt to do that, we
hope that people will see that the Bible’s history is the proper starting
point for all scientific study, including the natural history of Madagascar.

To be effective in that task, we have to distinguish carefully between a
model (a possibility) and God’s Word (absolute truth). See “Loving Science,
Loving God” (pp. 90–92, Answers, October–December 2008) for a fuller
discussion of this approach.

Tripping Along Happily

Just wanted to let you know how thankful this mom of five is for the “Parent’s
Corner.” Tedd Tripp takes God’s Word and does not water it down. He is a fine
example of how one can be blessed for taking God at His word—from Genesis all
the way through the New Testament.

MARSHA R., ELIZABETHTON, TENNESSEE

Not Just Another Ghost Story

I enjoyed the most recent Answers magazine article about ghosts. The
spiritual realm is very real and much too dangerous for the normal human being
to handle.

It is possible to open doorways for demon possession and other dangerous things.
Many Christians fall into the trap of thinking that ouija boards, tarot cards,
etc., are just silly, innocent games . . . but they’re not.

ALEA G., MARION, ALABAMA

It Was Samuel!

I was surprised to read that Rick Barry could not take a position on the ghost
of Samuel. Rick reports that “an apparition that looked like Samuel appeared.”
However, what 1 Samuel 28 actually says is that “the woman saw Samuel” (1 Samuel
28:12), “Samuel said . . .” (vv. 15–16), and “Saul fell full length on the ground,
filled with fear because of Samuel’s words” (v. 20). If one can conclude that
“the woman saw Samuel” means that it could have been someone else instead, could
any event in the Bible be merely the fallible perception of those involved in
the story?

BRAD M., KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

Editor’s Response: The John Gill commentary,
cited in the article’s footnotes, acknowledges
that your position has strong support
(http://www.freegrace.net/gill). But Gill and
other commentators cite several counterarguments.
In neither case is Scripture’s accuracy
being questioned—it’s just a matter of
properly understanding the intended meaning
of this one-time event. Is this account
describing “Samuel” from God’s perspective
or from Saul’s perspective?

Answers Magazine

October – December 2010

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Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. We focus on providing answers to questions about the Bible—particularly the book of Genesis—regarding key issues such as creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.